Getting Started in Dressage

Carri · 05-06-2007, 06:11 PM

I have an appendix gelding, who has been formally trained as jumper. I have had him since last fall, and have been just kind of getting back into shape to ride, mostly just walking and trotting circles. I have found that even though I am getting in a little better shape and am getting my "seat" back, I am not really interested in jumping anymore. Part of it is just that I am afraid of it, and part is that I just don't have the desire to do it, which would normally override the fear.
I have never done dressage, but I think it is really beautiful and classic looking, and there must be an incredible bond between the rider and horse. I have been thinking lately that I would be interested in trying it, even though I do not have a trainer for dressage.
Then, I found out today that my horse spent over a year at a dressage barn, being used for lessons, and knows quite a bit! A girl who used to ride him there was at our barn today, and was telling me about riding him there.
Since this is something I have never done, and he needs a refesher, is this even a possibility that I could entertain, or would it be too hard since neither of us REALLY know what we are doing? Are there any books or DVDs that you would recommend to help me get started?

KatieMae · 05-07-2007, 07:09 AM

I did the same exact thing that you are doing, actually... I was a hardcore local stadium jumping champion until I had a fall over a fence.. I got back on, of course, and won my next class, but I don't have the mental focus to do it anymore after that... (so much for getting a jumper tattooed on me, huh...) Anyhow, I decided not too long ago, that since I've worked so hard with my horse over the past 10 years, and got her into a nice frame for flat work, I'd try my hand at dressage.. I believe, that if you were doing hunter/jumpers on the mentioned horse, you should be able to entertain the idea of doing dressage, since dressage is the foundation of any equestrian sport. Now, as far as books:

I had gotten a book for Christmas a few years ago, called Common Sense Dressage Written by Sally O'Connor (YES! Mother in law to Olympic Eventer Karen O'Connor!). It basically starts from the ground (literally) up to piaffe level moves.. It's a great book from what I've read of it.. And it has over 200 illustrations (mostly exercises, patterns to ride, etc) which I find to be excellant... I'll talk to a friend who's been riding dressage for years if she know's of any other books; cause I'd be interested too

05-06-2007, 06:11 PM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 10,604	Getting Started in Dressage I have an appendix gelding, who has been formally trained as jumper. I have had him since last fall, and have been just kind of getting back into shape to ride, mostly just walking and trotting circles. I have found that even though I am getting in a little better shape and am getting my "seat" back, I am not really interested in jumping anymore. Part of it is just that I am afraid of it, and part is that I just don't have the desire to do it, which would normally override the fear. I have never done dressage, but I think it is really beautiful and classic looking, and there must be an incredible bond between the rider and horse. I have been thinking lately that I would be interested in trying it, even though I do not have a trainer for dressage. Then, I found out today that my horse spent over a year at a dressage barn, being used for lessons, and knows quite a bit! A girl who used to ride him there was at our barn today, and was telling me about riding him there. Since this is something I have never done, and he needs a refesher, is this even a possibility that I could entertain, or would it be too hard since neither of us REALLY know what we are doing? Are there any books or DVDs that you would recommend to help me get started?

05-07-2007, 07:09 AM
KatieMae Seasoned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: C.FLA Posts: 4,138	I did the same exact thing that you are doing, actually... I was a hardcore local stadium jumping champion until I had a fall over a fence.. I got back on, of course, and won my next class, but I don't have the mental focus to do it anymore after that... (so much for getting a jumper tattooed on me, huh...) Anyhow, I decided not too long ago, that since I've worked so hard with my horse over the past 10 years, and got her into a nice frame for flat work, I'd try my hand at dressage.. I believe, that if you were doing hunter/jumpers on the mentioned horse, you should be able to entertain the idea of doing dressage, since dressage is the foundation of any equestrian sport. Now, as far as books: I had gotten a book for Christmas a few years ago, called Common Sense Dressage Written by Sally O'Connor (YES! Mother in law to Olympic Eventer Karen O'Connor!). It basically starts from the ground (literally) up to piaffe level moves.. It's a great book from what I've read of it.. And it has over 200 illustrations (mostly exercises, patterns to ride, etc) which I find to be excellant... I'll talk to a friend who's been riding dressage for years if she know's of any other books; cause I'd be interested too